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The Innovators Guide

to Modern Note Taking


How businesses can harness the digital revolution

TABLE OF
CONTENTS
03

Introduction

The Natural Progression of the Digital Experience

06

Chapter 1

10

Chapter 2

13

Chapter 3

16

Chapter 4

20

Chapter 5

23

Chapter 6

26

Where Will Your Notes Take You?

Disrupt the Note Taking Demons


Type Less, Retain More
Doodle Your Way to Greater Understanding
Power Up Your Note Taking Techniques
The Modern Note Taker
The Cloud Connection

Your Chance to Doodle


02 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

Introduction

Introduction
The Natural Progression of the Digital Experience
Our notes are the gatekeepers to discovery. From alternating
current to the lithium battery, the flick of a pen is often the first
stage of every great idea, but how many other great discoveries
and connections have we missed, simply because we didnt write
something down?
The scribbles and scrawls we use
to remind ourselves to grab milk
on the way home are the same
curious sketches that once held the
secrets to gravity. Whether written
in quick scratches in the margins or
meticulous, intentional outlines, we
each have a very specific method
(or lack there of) to how we create
and maintain our memos.

04 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

The human brain is a finicky,


temperamental secretary that cannot
be trusted. No matter how sharp we
think we are, weve all forgotten great
ideas thanks to a last minute deadline,
a screaming toddler, or a puppy dressed
in suspenders and a party hat. After the
umpteenth betrayal from our cerebral
cortex, we eventually learn to write
things down.

Introduction
The Natural Progression of the Digital Experience
Today, we clunk away at a keyboard
and end up with half a gigabyte of
meeting minutes on our hard drive
that well never read again to go with
the two dozen scribbled receipts we
keep shoved in the glove box. That
chaos can be tamed. With the right
tools and attitude, we can capitalize
on this familiar tool to boost productivity
and innovation. Modern note taking
takes the familiar scrawl of handwritten

05 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

notes and pairs it with the sharing


and storage capabilities of the Digital
Age. Together, they create a method
of note taking thats easy to organize,
share, save, and access while improving
retention, creativity, and collaboration.
Take the first step to excellence with
modern note taking.

Chapter 1

Chapter 1
Disrupt the Note Taking Demons
Keeping notes is a mess. Theres the three semi-filled notebooks
on your bookshelf, stickies plastered to your desk, and in all the
reminders youve completely forgotten which record is where.
How many times have you accidently
left the next big idea in your pocket
only to find nothing but pulp a week
later? Thats assuming you dont lose
that napkin between inspiration and
laundry day. Our note taking habits
are unorganized at their best, and
straight up sabotaging at their worst.
This time suck of scribbles and halfbaked thoughts has a huge impact on
businesses. Meeting notes get recorded,
transcribed, and distributed; then new
ideas are written out, misplaced, found,
typed up, and emailed. Each task and
conversation generates another thing
we dont want to forget that gets piled

1 Brother International Organization, 2010

07 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

on top of all the other things were


already struggling to remember. Our
best intentions twist into a tangled
web thats too overwhelming to sort
out. Research suggests that the average
employee spends roughly 76 hours
a year looking for misplaced notes,
items, or files. In other words we
spend an annual $177 billion across
the U.S.1more than Finlands entire
Central Government Budgettrying
to find that sticky note that was
literally right here a second ago.

Chapter 1
Disrupt the Note Taking Demons
That level of disorganization has a huge
impact on our consumer relationships.
A prospective customer wants to confirm
whether youd agreed to an 8.2 or a 2.8
bulk discount? Feeling lucky? Oh, now
they want to know how your previous
engagements profited? Go ahead, take
your time finding that white paper, they
wont mind. Its in your car? Thats okay,
you can just email it to them later, just
make a quick note so you dont forget.
Next thing you know your brand has
a reputation for being unorganized
and disengaged.
Were not just throwing time and
money at the disarray of note taking;
were sacrificing our health.

08 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

When left as is, our note taking


habits morph into a soul crushing
stress monster. Damage a client
relationship, the monster grows.
Spend twenty minutes looking for
a file that might not exist, the monster
grows. Bust open your knuckle reaching
under your passenger seat for that
burger wrapper with a phone number
written in the cornerthe stress monster
grows into a greater, uglier force.
That stress monster is at least partly
responsible for six of the greatest health
threats worldwide (heart disease, cancer,
lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the
liver, and suicide). Better note taking
habits might not remove all stress and
disorganization from our lives, but its
certainly a step in the right direction.

Chapter 1
Disrupt the Note Taking Demons
Modern note taking techniques help
simplify and de-clutter our lives by
digitally storing every scribble, scrawl,
and scratch in the cloud. This library
simplifies our organizational process
and allows for immediate access
regardless of where we are or what
smart device were using. Research even
suggests that while typed notes serve
well for direct dictation, people are far
more likely to retain and engage

2 Mueller & Oppenheimer, 2014

09 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

with new information when


those notes are taken by hand.2
This can have a huge impact on
meeting notes, interviews, and
client calls where information is
taken on the fly and shared or
revisited later. Digital note taking
with a smart pen or stylus marries
the best of both worlds, igniting
creativity while leveraging the
benefits of modern technology.

Chapter 2

Chapter 2
Type Less, Retain More
A quick visit to Neurology 101: The right brain is a flashing mosaic
of sensation and passion, like a magical world bursting with color
and really catchy elevator music. It engages the creative process
and encourages dreams and ambitions.
The right brain wonders, What if?
The left is a clinical order of reason,
symbols, and logic dictated by science
and control, math and analytics. The
left brain asks What is? If Disney World
is the right brain, the left brain is the
Library of Congress.
Many modern note taking practices are
highly left brain functions. Dictation
left brain, typingleft brain. With a
keyboard in front of us the writing
process shifts from creation to symbol
recognition and muscle memory, but
the act of writing by hand triggers that
right brain creativity in a way that
typing cannot emulate.

11 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

The left brain houses our inner


perfectionistthe critic that urges
us to copyedit every sentence and
criticizes every action. By using a
pen to tangibly draw every letter
we engage the free-flowing right
side of our brain, spark creativity and
temporarily override that analytical
jerk. When we silence our internal
judgments, we allow creation to happen
in real time, which actually increases
productivity and improves our ability
to learn and retain new information.

Chapter 2
Type Less, Retain More
Research suggests that while
typewriting note takers do produce
more notes, those notes are often
word for word transcripts and lack
the processing and conceptualization
of their handwritten counterparts.3
Note taking becomes a quality versus
quantity exchange; note takers can
either cover as much content as
possible and hope they get the right
points, or can hone in on key concepts
and ideas and develop their own
conclusions. Stenography certainly has
its strengths, but processing complex
ideas isnt one of them. By transitioning
our note taking techniques from laptop
to smart pen we introduce a level
of efficiency and engagement that
cannot be reproduced with a keyboard.

3 Mueller & Oppenheimer, 2014


4 Spira & Feintuch, 2005
5 Mark, Gudith, & Klocke, 2008

12 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

Every day the average employee spends


over two hours being interrupted,
distracted, or trying to refocus on their
work at hand, costing businesses an
estimated $588 billion per year.4 This
loss of productivity often leads us
to compensate by working faster,
generating more stress, frustration,
and burnout.5 By minimizing steps
between notation and documentation
natural note taking techniques help
eliminate those disheartening and
time consuming internal and digital
distractions while supercharging our
brain for higher retention, faster recall,
better understanding, and greater
overall efficiency.

Chapter 3

Chapter 3
Doodle Your Way to Greater Understanding
In the conversation around note taking its easy to focus
on putting words on paper, but note taking is more than
just wordsnote taking is memos and minutes, scribbles
and sketches, drafts and doodles.
Although doodling has a reputation
for being mindless, lazy, and distracting,
research suggests otherwise. Doodlers
recall, on average, 29% more information
than non-doodlers.6 Today, even Google
employs a Chief Doodler.
According to doodling advocate and
thought leader Sunni Brown, doodling
sparks our understanding by blending
all four learning modalities (auditory,
visual, kinetic, and reading/writing) into
one mega-comprehension superpower.
Doodling then creates concept anchors
that drive retention and development.
Similar to how smell can trigger a buried

6 Andrade, 2009
7 Singh & Kashyap, 2015

14 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

memory, each unique sketch allows


doodlers to rely on recognition over
recall for memory retrieval.7 Suddenly,
that spaceship isnt just a spaceship, its
a link back to the speakers third point
on brand recognition.

Chapter 3
Doodle Your Way to Greater Understanding
Doodlers make the most of the Picture
Superiority Effect for their note taking
process. Essentially, people are more
likely to remember up to 90% of
what they are shown versus just 10%
of what they hear. This way, doodles
not only engage memory, but their
unintimidating and personal nature
make it easier to engage an audience
in complex materials.

Modern note taking brings doodlers


into a new era by empowering them
to engage in their preferred learning
methods without sacrificing the perks
of technology. By empowering doodlers
to sketch and save their creations were
engaging them on every mental level,
rather than asking them to sacrifice
their preferred learning style for the
expediency of a laptop.
Youre not the only one sketching
sailboats in your margins, every
president of the United States was
a doodler as well. View their work here.

15 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

Chapter 4

Chapter 4
Power Up Your Note Taking Techniques
The blend of longhand and digital technology equips note
takers with the best of yesterday and today. 4G, Wi-Fi, and cloud
connectivity all ensure that whether youre sitting in a c-suite office
or scribbling a note in a coffee shop, your digital notes become
immediately accessible with the same personality and nuance as
their hand copied counterparts, but thats a small perk compared
to the greater impact of natural note taking.
Smart pens eliminate the annoying
process of line-by-line transcription
at the push of a button. The most
tedious part of note taking is
immediately overcome by technology
that recognizes your handwriting and
translates it instantly to digital text.
These files can then be stored through

17 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

your cloud service, allowing you


access from any connected laptop,
tablet, or smart phone. The digital
access and storage process eliminates
the mess of notebooks, folders, and
scattered memos, streamlining your
entire collection into one database
that you can maintain as you see fit.

Chapter 4
Power Up Your Note Taking Techniques
Keep it Simple
Stick to basic ideas and overall
concepts. Attempting to copy down
every phrase isnt just next to impossible,
its distracting and frustrating. Actually
listen to the speaker and use your
notes to highlight what seems to be
most important.

Put it Together
Dont quit taking notes as soon as the
meeting ends. Take a minute and link
relevant points back together. Speculate
on a few possible outcomes and analyze
any potential pain pointshow is this
information going to be relevant to
you tomorrow?

Make it Your Own


Verbatim dictation does nothing for
your ability to comprehend and recall
new information. Copy those key ideas
in your own words. This way you hear
the information first, then translate it into
something digestible and express your
understanding on paper, rather than just
repeating what youve been told.

Make it Work
Theres no universal method for topnotch notes. Do you recall information
better when you doodle the speaker
transmogrifying into a dinosaur? Sure,
go for it. Maybe you need to use a
traditional outlinetheres no shame
in that either. Find a system that works
best for you and stick to it.

18 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

Chapter 4
Power Up Your Note Taking Techniques
Digital Pen
Instantly access hundreds
of colors, fonts, and tip styles
Take notes the way you think
best-manipulate data directly
on your tablet
Streamlined design is
less cumbersome than
its smart counterpart
Linked directly to your
touch screen devices
Creation surface is only limited
by the size of your display
Native integration into your
devices operating system

19 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

vs.

Smart Pen
Dont worry about penmanship;
instantly transcribe your chicken
scratch to familiar, readable fonts
Create with pen and paper
in the most natural way
Fully functional ball-point pen
Relies on specific paper, apps,
and devices for full functionality
Never miss a note, record
live audio as you write
Limited to the capacity
of the ink cartridge

Chapter 5

Chapter 5
The Modern Note Taker
Digital note taking techniques are for more than just that one
guy who actually bought Google Glass and middle-aged executives
fighting to stay ahead of the latest trendsthese techniques
lend themselves to stronger communication, collaboration and
efficiency across every industry.
Law Enforcement
Smart pens create a unique opportunity
for law enforcement officials. The
latest technology not only transcribes
written notes, making for easily filed
and maintained case documents and
case notes, but records audio while
in action, creating additional levels
of accountability, transparency, and
protection for officers in the field.
Healthcare
With modern note taking, patient
information can be instantly shared
from family doctor to nurse practitioner
to emergency room technician. If a
patient makes a specific request or has
a special need, that information can
quickly be documented and shared

21 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

across the facility, prescriptions can


be authorized quickly and easily, while
easing hospitals from the burden of
maintaining unnecessary networks
and servers.
Sales
Instantly access unique client needs,
product notes, and target details with
your digital notes. Digital note taking
empowers sales personnel to quickly
recall or access pertinent information
in the field while inspiring faith and
confidence in their customers.

Chapter 5
The Modern Note Taker
Education
Note taking isnt just for students.
A smart pen in the hands of an
educator creates an opportunity
to quickly organize and transcribe
lesson plans or worksheets, expedite
the grading process, and store and
share student notesall while keeping
an organized and accountable record
of the semester.
Construction
Document schematics and
measurements in the field while
equipping other crewmembers
instantly with the information they
need to get the job done right the
first time. Digital note taking simplifies
any job site by transcribing unique
details, logging required maintenance
as its performed, and keeping track
of billable hours and supplies.

22 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

For those juggling the weight of the


world, the ones who run from team
meeting to client presentation to
brainstorming session to board room
to soccer practice to dinner, and back
to work for an hour before bed, natural
note taking provides the flexibility to
take notes in the way best suited for
each particular environment. Natural
note taking isnt a better mousetrap,
but it can help you figure out how to
build one yourself. By connecting your
notes across every device, with instant
feedback, collaboration, and flexibility
to think on the go (without misplacing
a memo) youre freed up to accomplish
more, faster, and spend that extra time
on the important things in life.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6
The Cloud Connection
The Internet, mobile devices, and an always-on mentality have
made our parents 9-to-5 a thing of the past. Technology has
changed the pace at which we work, but what hasnt changed
is our need for note taking.
The advent of these new devices,
from voice recording apps to notes
pages in smart phones, combined
with our more natural inclinations
to jot down notes on a sticky pad,
in a notebook, or on the back
of a napkin, have taken our note
taking habits from bad to worse.
Until now.
For the first time, note taking
technology has caught up with our
tools and gadgets. Using the cloud
to store, access, and share your
notes wherever you are is the natural
evolution of modern note taking.

24 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

Cloud storage capabilities not


only allow instant access whenever
inspiration strikes, but many cloud
service providers have special storage
capabilities to meet your unique
requirements. Run a small online shop
with a fairly limited amount of data?
Get yourself a free terabyte and youre
good to go. CIO of a Fortune 500 tech
firm with an extensive backlog of R&D,
client data, and analytic information?
Theres a platform out there for your
organization. Freemium cloud models
allow users to meet their needs and
adapt accordingly without committing
unnecessary finances to digital storage
you might not even need.

Chapter 6
The Cloud Connection
You cant drop the cloud in a puddle,
accidently leave it in a taxi, or delete it
when youre cleaning up your hard drive.
Cloud storage backs up your back ups,
and keeps them guarded by some of
the top security experts in the industry.
Cloud providers protect your data by
surpassing industry encryption standards
and aligning with the expectations of
the Cloud Security Alliance.
Want to share your notes with your
colleagues and coworkers? Cloud
storage allows you to share every
minute, memo, and sketch at the touch
of a button. Collaboration is easier than
ever with digital note taking and cloud
connectivity. Access your coworkers
notes, share your own, and never panic
when Julie from Account Services calls
in sick or Drew from Sales goes on
paternity leave.

25 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

Modern workers dont fit a specific mold.


Were executives and sales reps, service
staff and remote analysts, engineers
and educators; we are architects of ideas
that wont always have the luxury of
a computer at our fingertips. Keeping
all our notes and data organized and
accessible, regardless of the platform,
is key to maintained success.

Where Will Your Notes Take You?


While research disproves using our notes like an inverted
Rorschach test to analyze our personalities,8 that certainly
doesnt make them any less personal. Notes are more than
just dictations and doodles; they are the natural first step
in execution, the initial spark of innovation.
Our fondness for pen on paper isnt
just nostalgia in action, its our brains
demanding to be engaged. Modern note
taking harnesses that cognitive process
to drive creativity and retention during
meetings and conversations, rather than
letting the creative process disconnect.
By changing how we take, organize,
and share our notes we change the way
our organizations and schedules operate.
From the aspiring entrepreneur to the
chief financial officer, the reclaiming
value of modern note taking unleashes
the potential to revolutionize careers,
companies, and even entire industries.
At the core of modern note taking is
a marriage of art and science that
simplifies our ever-growing daily grind
through ease and accessibility.

8 Duffy & Wilson, 2005

27 Innovators Guide to Modern Note Taking

By replacing the bulk of a keyboard


with the mobility of a ball point pen,
we are free to live, work, and create
where ever we see fit. Break away
from the desk and chase inspiration
in the world around you. Products like
Microsofts Surface and the Livescribe 3
smart pen let you harness the natural
inclinations for scratching down notes
and sketches to the limitless capabilities
of cloud technology.
Discover more about how Microsoft
can help transform ideas into realities
with digital note taking and Surface
and start innovating today. Visit
http://aka.ms/surface4biz.

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purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS
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